Ben’s Original

Awarded a 1/5 green leaf rating, the Ben’s Original Ready Rice™ Spanish Style Rice presents a significant departure from our commitment to cleaner food options. The product is not organic and contains genetically modified ingredients, factors that diminish its standing on our scale of health-conscious choices. Further scrutiny reveals the presence of added sugars, including sugar and citric acid, alongside dextrose, a simple sugar that is flagged for its potentially more detrimental health impacts.

The ingredient list also includes natural flavors, a term that often encompasses a wide range of undisclosed chemical compounds, and maltodextrin, a highly processed thickener or filler associated with negative health effects. The inclusion of canola oil, which may be processed with chemicals and is often derived from genetically modified crops, further detracts from the product’s rating.

Our rigorous evaluation process underscores the importance of transparency and healthfulness in food products. Ben’s Original Ready Rice™ Spanish Style Rice falls short of these standards due to its non-organic status, GMO ingredients, and the array of additives that carry potential health risks.

Consumers seeking cleaner, more natural food products would be advised to consider alternatives that prioritize organic ingredients, eschew GMOs, and omit unnecessary sugars and additives. The low green leaf rating reflects our stance that this product does not align with the healthier choices we advocate for. By choosing foods that are more in harmony with these principles, consumers can navigate towards a cleaner diet amidst the abundance of less healthy options.